Train describer system



Dec. 26, 1939. H, D BRQQKS Er AL 2,184,544 TRAIN DESCRIBER SYSTEM FiledNov. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a s Sigg e: 5 m lf n 2 E l l n 2 'gg a INN u;

l -1 A H "'N m o :b t

4- 32u e -4 15 g 2 8S 35 3?; V

H S 3 *v al l: l

9' "l f 1 ku. INVENTORS f 1 H.D.Brooks ""f/ A.Robers t BY uw THEIRATTORNEY.

. 26, 1939. H. D. BRooKs Er A1.

TRAIN DESCRIBER SYSTEM Filed NOV. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ORS INVENTum.. A.

w m 0 .R M Mm m. A B m D.. n Hm T Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED *STATESrATi-:Nr orifice TRAIN DESCRIBE-R SYSTEM Application November 14, 1935,Serial No. 49,792

22 Claims.

This invention relates to train describers or announcersand it moreparticularly pertains to a semi-automatic train describer or announcer,whereby trains of one class cause the circuits to function automaticallyto display a lamp or the like at a distant point, while trains ofanother class require a manual operation of a push button or the like tocause the circuits to funciton to display another lamp at the distantpoint, for identifying approaching trains.

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to indicate at adistant platform or station the kind or class of the next car or trainthat is approaching, such as local or express trains, or the destinationof such car or train and to cancel or Wipe out these indicationsautomatically as the train enters the station.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision ofmeans for automatically storing in train describer units or relay groupsthe identity of a plurality of trains which pass a first station and fordisplaying at a second station an indication manifesting the identity ofthe trains one at atime in the order of their passing the rst station,with each succeeding indication being displayed as the preceding trainleaves the second station.

Another feature of the present invention resides l Other objects,purposes and characteristic fea` tures of the present invention will beobvious from the accompanying drawings when taken in connection with thefollowing description.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be made to theaccompanying drawings in which:-

Figs. l and 2 when placed end to end in the order named and withcorrespondingly identified lines in alignment, show the inventionapplied to a section of track over which trains'of two classes travelfrom west to east (left to right), with trafc routed over two separateroutes at the second station.

For convenience' in describing the present nvention,A it will be assumedthat Myrtle Avenue trains and Fifth Avenue trains pass 'through theBridge Street station illustrated in Fig. l and are (Cl. 24S- 2) routedby way of track switch TS (and corresponding signals not shown) at theNavy Street station (illustrated in Fig. 2) over Myrtle Avenue track MATand Fifth Avenue track FAT respectively. It `will also be assumed thatan attendant on each Fifth Avenue train is instructed to manuallyoperate push button FAB illustrated in the upper left hand portion ofFig. l, while the attendant on each Myrtle Avenue train 'does notoperate this button.

It will also be assumed that any number of trains up to four may havetheir identity stored in the fourv groups of relays of Fig. 2 before oneis cleared out of the Navy Street station. It will be understood thatthis number can be increased by increasing the number of groups o-frelays shown grouped by the heavy dashed lines of Fig. 2. It is believedthat the features of the present the detailed operation of the system.

Operation invention may be best understood' by considering u rtrackbatteries not` shown. Relay AGA illustrated in the upper right handportion of Fig. 2 is normally energized over an obvious circuit closedat back contact 60 of relay l3TP.

In the following description it will be understood that those relayshaving heavylines at the upper portion of the block illustrating thewinding of each relay indicate that the relay is slow to pick up, whilethose relays having a heavy line at the lower portion `of the blockillustrating the winding of the relay indicates that the relay is slowto release. i

Entrance and sto/ragef-It will be assumed that the first train to enterthe track section of 4the Bridge Street station with which track relayIT is associated is a Fifth Avenue train and as above pointed out anattendant will operate push but-- ton FAB as the train passes throughthis station.

The dropping of'relay IT in response to the entrance of the train in theassociated track section closes an obvious circuit at back contact I0for picking up relay ITP. When button FAB is actuated a circuit isclosed for picking up relay IC which extends from (-1-), Contact ofbutton, FAB front contact l I of relay lTP and winding of relay IC toRelay IC closes a stick circuit for itself Which extends from frontcontact l2 of relay ITP, front contact I3 and winding of relay IC toRelay IC closes an obvious circuit at its front contact Il! for lightingpilot lamp PL, which lamp indicates that the button has been properlyoperated by the train attendant.

A circuit is now closed for picking up relay NP which extends from (-1-)front contact I5 of relay IC and winding of relay NP to The picking upof relay I C also closes a circuit for picking up relay 2C which extendsfrom (-1-) front contact 6I of relay AGA, back contact III of relay 4X,conductor 52, back contact I6 of relay ZTP, front contact I'I of relayIC and winding of relay 2C to Relay 2C completes a stick circuit foritself which extends from (-1-), front contact I8 of relay IC, frontcontact I9 and winding of relay 2C to The picking up ci relay IC alsocloses a circuit for applying a FA pulse to conductor 53 for picking uprelay IF, which circuit extends from (-1-) front contact 5I of relayAGA, back Contact 8I of relay IIX, conductor 62, back contact I6 ofrelay 2T?, front contact I'I of relay IC, back contact I9 of relay 2C,conductor t3, back contact Sil of relay IlX, back contact 65 of relay3X, back contact IE5 of relay 2X1, back contact 5l of relay IX andwinding of relay IF to It will be noted that this pulse is applied toconductor 63 after relay IC picks up and before relay EC picks up toopen back contact I9, due to the fact that relay 2C is slow to pick up.Relay IF closes a stick circuit for itself which extends from (-1-),back Contact 38 of relay STP, front contact t9 and winding of relay IFto A circuit is now closed for energizing lamp FA as an indication thatthe next approaching train is a Fifth Avenue train, which circuitextends from (-1)`, front contact 'I0 of relay IF and lamp FA to RelayIX is energized over a circuit extending from front contact II of relayIF, back contact l2 of relay IY and winding of relay IX to Relay IXcloses a circuit at its front contact 'i3 which bridges back contact l2and is for the purpose of maintaining relay IF energized after relay IYis picked up 1 over a circuit extending from (-1-), front contact 'IIIof relay IX and winding of relay IY to Relay IF closes a circuitI at itsfront contact l5 for operating switch machine SM to operate the trackswitch to its reverse position, which circuit extends through a Contactof double pole double throw switch SW and reverse switch machineconductor RC. It will be obvious that the track switch may be manuallycontrolled by lever SML when switch SW is thrown to its upper position.

It will be noted that contacts 6l and 'I'I of relay IX transfer the FApulse conductor 63 and the MA pulse conductor $33 from the IF and IMrelays respectively to the 2F and ZM relays respectively, so that thesecond train can be registered on the proper relay 2F or 2M inaccordance with its identity.

When the Fifth Avenue train enters the track section with which relay 2Tis associated this relay drops and closes an obvious circuit at its backcontact 2&1 for energizing relay BTP. Relay ETP closes a stick circuitfor relay NP which extends from (-1-), front Contact 2l of relay ETP,front contact 22 and winding of relay NP to The picking up of relay ETPtransfers the set up conductor t2 from the circuit leading to relay 2Cto the circuit leading to relay AZR, which circuit is open at this timeat back contact 23 of relay NP.

When the Fifth Avenue train leaves the track section with which relay ITis associated this relay picks up and de-energizes relay ITP at openback contact It. Relay ITP drops and effects the dropping of relay IC byopening its stick circuit at front contact Iii.4 The pilot lamp isdeenergized at open front contact I II and relay 2C is de-energized atopen front contact I3.

When the Fifth Avenue train clears out of the track section with whichrelay 2T is associated this relay picks up and de-energizes relay ETP atopen back contact it. Relay NP is now deenergized at open front contactZI of relay ETP.

It will be assumed that a Myrtle Avenue train enters the Bridge Streetstation while the indication Which identifies the Fifth Avenue train isstored in the iirst group of relays as above described. The dropping ofrelay IT again energizes relay ITP but since button FAB is not actuatedneither relay IC nor 2C is picked up. When the Myrtle Avenue trainenters the second track section relay 2T is dropped and relay 2TP ispicked up but in this instance relay NP' is not energized because ofopen front contact I5 of relay IC.

Relay AZR is energized in response to the entrance of the Myrtle Avenuetrain into the second section over a circuit extending from (1) frontcontact 6I of relay AGA, back contact 3| of relay IX, conductor 62,front contact I6 of relay 2TP, back contact 23 of relay NP and windingof relay AZR to The opening of back contact 24 of relay AZR disconnectsthe MA pulse conductor 83 but since this relay is slow to pick up, apulse is applied to conductor 83 for an interval of time suflicient topick up relay 2M over a circuit extending from (-1-) on the right handterminal of relay AZR (above traced), back contact 24 of relay AZR,conductor $3, back contact 82 of relay LIX, back contact 8d of relay 3X,back contact 85 of relay 2X, front contact 'Il of relay IX and windingor" relay 2M to Relay 2M closes a stick circuit for itself extendingfrom (-1-), front contact 8S of relay IY, front contact 8l and windingof relay 2M to closes a stick circuit for itself which extends from(-1-), front contact 25 of relay ETP, front contact 26 and winding or'relay AZR to The picking up of relay 2M closes a circuit for picking uprelay 2X which extends from (-1),

' front contact 88 of relay 2M, back contact 39 of relay ZY and windingof relay 2X to Front contact 80 of relay 2X bridges back contact 89 ofrelay 2Y s0 that relay 2X is maintained energized after relay ZY ispicked up over a circuit extending from (-1-), front contact 9U of relay2X and winding of relay ZY to From the above it will be observed thatrelay 2M is energized to store the identity of the second train enteringthe Bridge Street station but that this relay does not complete acircuit for the train identifying lamp. It prepares a circuit at itsiront Contact 9i for picking up relay IM to transfer the second storageindication to the first group of relays, but this circuit is notcornplete at this time because of open back contact 92 of relay IX. Itwill also be observed that relay 2X transfers the FA pulse wire 63 andthe MA pulse wire S3 from the F and M relays of the second group to theF and M relays of the third group at front contacts 56 and 85respectively.

When the second train (Myrtle Avenue) leaves the first track section,relay IT is picked up and relay ITP is dropped in the manner previouslydescribed. When the second train leaves the second track section, relay2T is picked up and re- Relay AZR lay 2TP is dropped in themanner-previously described. The dropping of relay 2TP de-energizes thestick circuit of relay AZR at open frontfcontact 25 and relay AZR isreleased.

It will noW be-assurned that, While the identities of the rst and secondtrains are sto-red in groups I and 2, a third train (Myrtle Avenue)enters the Bridge Street station. This eiectsthe drop.- ping of relay iTand the ,picking-up of relay ITP as previously described. Relays IC, 2Cand NP remain cle-energized but relay AZR is pickedup as previouslydescribed.- A circuit: is closed; for

applying apulse to the MA pulse wire Sii-before the picking up of relayAZR, which circuit is effected by the closure of front contact I6 ofrelax7 2TP before the opening of backcontact ZII of relay AZR.

This pulse applied to conductor 83 4extends through front contact 85 ofrelay 2Xy and through the Winding -of relay 3M to Relay 3M picks up andcloses a stick circuit for itself extending from (-1-), front Contact 93of relay 2Y, front contact 94 and Winding of relay 3M to A circuit isnow closed for picking 'up relay 3X which extends from (-1-), frontcontact 95 of relay 3M, back contact 9E of relay SY and Winding of relay3X to Front contact 91 of relay 3X bridges back contact 9E of relay 3Yso that relay SX is maintained energized after SY is picked up over anobvious circuit including front contact 9S of relay 3X.

When the third train clears out of the rst and second track sections therelays are restored to the positions indicated in Fig. l inthepreviously described manner. When a fourth train enters the BridgeStreet station it effects the above described operations of 'relays IT,ITP, 2T and ZTP and in the event that this is a Fifth Avenue train forexample, theoperation of button FABpicks up relay IC, after. whichrelays ZC and NP are energized. A pulse is applied to FA puise con--ductor Se before the -openingof `back contact- I9 of relay 2C inthe-previously described manner, which pulse extends through backcontact 64 of relay 4X, front contact 65 of relay 3X and` Winding ofrelay IF to Relay 4F is picked up and its stick circuit is closed whichextends from (-1-), fron-tr contactr 99 of relay SY, front contactImi-and Winding of relay IF to It Will of course -be obvious that thisstick circuit would extend through front contact IGI to the Winding-.ofrelay 4M in the event that relay 4M Was picked up due to the fourthtrain being a Myrtle Avenuetrain. It Will also be obvious that frontcontacts |02 and |83 complete stick circuits for relays 2F and 3Frespectively in the event that these relaysare picked up in response tothe secondandthird. trains being Fifth Avenue trains instead of My-rtlevAvenue trains as above assumed.

The picking up of relay 4F closes a circuitv for picking up relay 4Xwhich extends .from (-1-), front contact IGII of relay 4F and winding'ofrelay AX to Since there is no YA relay inthe fourth (last) group thereis no contact onY relay AX corresponding to'contact @l on relay 3X.

It will be obvious from an examinationA of Fig. 2 that either an F or anM relay of each group closes a pick-up circuit for the X relay ofthecorresponding group. These other pick-up circuits include front contacts|05, IUS, ID'I and I8 of relays IM, 3F and 4M respectively.` It willalso be obvious that the closure of front contact IBS of relay IM, inresponse to thestorage by relay IMo the approaching train being a MyrtleAvenue train .instead of a. Fifth .Avenue train, will eiect theoperation of the switch machine and the track switch to its normalposition (in the event that switch SW is in its lower position) to f'route thev train over the Myrtle Avenue track MAT.

Wipe out operatio1z.-'I'l'le above. description points out hovv theidentity of four succeeding trains is sto-red in the four groups ofrelays illustrated in Fig 2, with the identity of the rst traindisplayed on the indicator lamp in accorde ance with the class of thisrst train. It yWill now be explained how a displayed indication will bewiped out When the first train enters-the Navy Street Station.

The entrance-of the first train into the track section with which track.relay 3T is associated drops this relay andvcloses an obvious circuitat its back contact III! for picking u-p relay 3TP. Relay STP applies(-1-) atV its front contact ISI I -to the stick circuit oitrelay IX sothat this relay Will not ce released when relay IF is dropped as Willbe-later explained. The opening of; back contact t!! ofy relay @TPde-energizes relay AGA. The.

closure of front contact 68 of relay 3TP applies (-1-) to the set upconductor 62 before Contact is slow to pick up, so that (-1-) potential'is removed from conductor 62 for a comparatively long interval of timeso that impulses from the circuits of Fig. l are held 0E until thetransfer operation is completed and all relays have ceased operating.This delay is controlled by the time adjustment of relay AGA. It will ofcourse be understood that (-1-) potential is disconnected from conductor`i52- at back contact 8l of relay IX as long as. four indications arestored in the four vgroups of relays. The purpose of contacts 6I and 68of relays AGA and BTP, which keep (-1-) potential off of conductor 62,is to hold back the pulses during transfer operations When there are notfour indicatoins stored in the relay groups of Fig. 2.

The dropping of relay STP de-energizes relay IX at open front contactIII and the dropping of relay IX de-energiaes relay IY at open frontcontact 'I-fi. During the interval between the dropping of relay IX andthe dropping of relay IY (because relay IY is slow lto release), theindication Which is stored in the seco-nd group is transferred to theiirst group and since it was assumed that the second train was a MyrtleAvenue train which effected the energization of relay 2M, relay IM ispicked up over a circuit eX- tending from (-1-), front contact SI ofrelay 2M, back contact 92 cf relay IX and Winding oi' relay IM to RelayIM closes a stick circuit for itself Wmch extends iro-m (-1-), backcontact 53 of relay BTP, front contact i8 andV winding of relay IM toTheenergization of relay IM closes an obvious circuit at front contactH5 for lighting lamp MA to display the indication that the nextapproaching train is a` Myrtle Avenue train. After relay IY is released,a circuit is closed for again picking up relay IX, which circuitincludes front Contact m5 of relay IM and back contact 'I2 of relay IY.Relay IX is stuck up over the previously described circuit and relay IYis again picked up by means of a circuit closed at front contact 'lll ofrelay IX. During the transfer from group 2 to group I, relay 2M isde-energized by the dropping of relay IY because of open front contact88 and relay 2X is de-energized because of open front contact 38 ofrelay 2M. Relay 2Y is also de-energized because of open front contact 30of relay 2X. This completes the transfer of the indication from group 2to group I and it will now -be explained how the transfer is made fromgroup 3 to group 2.

It will be recalled that relay 3M was energized because the third trainwas assumed to be a Myrtle Avenue train. A circuit is closed for pickingup relay 2M which extends from front contact lll of relay 3M, backcontact 53 ,of relay 2X, front contact 'Il of relay IX and Winding ofrelay 2M to Relay 2M closes a stick circuit for itself extending from(-l), front Contact B6 of relay IY, front contact 3l and Winding ofrelay 2M to After relay 2Y releases a circuit is closed for picking uprelay 2X which extends from (-l-), front contact S3 of relay 2M, backcontact 89 of relay ZY and Winding of relay 2X to Relay 2X again closesthe circuit at its front contact for bridging back contact 89 and causesrelay 2Y to be picked up by a circuit closed at its front contact 90.During the transfer from group 3 to group 2, relay 3M is cle-energizedby the dropping of relay ZY because of open front contact 33 and relay3X is de-energized because of open front contact of relay 3M. Relay SYis also de-energized because of open front Contact 9S of relay 3X. Thiscompletes the transfer from group 3 to group 2 and it will now beexplained how the indications stored in group i are transferred to group3.

A circuit is closed for picking up relay 3F which extends from (-1-),front contact 58 of relay lIF, back contact 5l of relay 3X, frontcontact G6 of relay 2X and winding of relay 3F to Relay 3F closes anobvious stick circuit for itself at its front contact I33 to (-1-) atfront Contact 93 of relay ZY. Relay 3F closes a circuit at its frontcontact I 0'! for energizing relay 3X and relay 3X closes a circuit atits front contact S3 for energizing relay 3Y.

During the interval when relay SY was de-energized, the stick circuitfor relay 4F was open at front contact S9 of relay 3Y so that relay 4Fis cle-energized. Relay 4X is de-energized at open front contact IIll ofrelay 6F. This completes the transfer from group 4 to group 3. It willbe understood from the above description that the clearing of the secondtrain out of the track section illustrated in the upper right handportion of Fig. 2 effects a similar transfer from group 2 to group I andfrom group 3 to group 2. Likewise, when the third train clears out ofthe Navy Stret station track section, a similar transfer is made fromgroup 2 to group I and when the fourth train clears this track sectionthe circuits are placed in their normal conditions as illustrated in thedrawings.

From the above description it will be apparent that Fifth Avenue trainsregister their successive entrance into the first track sectionillustrated in Fig, 1 by picking up relays IF, 2F, etc. Relay IF lightslamp FA to display the identity of the rst train as being a Fifth Avenuetrain.

Likewise a plurality of Myrtle Avenue trains register their successiveentrance into the first track section by picking up relays IM, 2M, etc.,and relay IM lights lamp MA to display the identity of the first trainas being a Myrtle Avenue train.

These trains may enter the first track section in any order and willregister their successive entrance into the track section by picking upthe associated F and M relay in accordance with the class of trainentering, the particular F or M relay being picked up being governed inaccordance with the number of trains already stored in the relay groups,the sequence being indicated by the numeral preceding the relaydesignation.

As each train enters the track section illustrated in the upper righthand portion of Fig. 2, the IF or IM relay is dropped to put out theassociated indication lamp and as each train leaves this track sectionthe indication stored in the higher numbered groups of relays are eachtransferred to the next lower group in order, Where the identity isstored on the proper M or F relay in accordance with the class of thenext train in order.

In the event that relay 2F is picked up because the second storedindication is for a Fifth Avenue train, then when the transfer is maderelay IF will be energized over a circuit extending through front`contact 53 of relay 2F and back contact 55 of relay IX.

In the event that relay 3F is picked up because the third storedindication is for a Fifth Avenue train, then when the transfer is maderelay 2F will be energized over a circuit extending through frontcontact 54 of relay 3F and back contact 53 of relay 2X.

In the event that relay 4M is picked up because the fourth storedindication is for a Myrtle Avenue train, then when the transfer is maderelay 3M will be energized over a circuit extending through frontcontact 52 of relay 4M and back contact 5I of relay 3X.

During the transfer from group 2 to group I it is necessary to maintainrelay 2X energized as long as relay IX remains down to prevent animproper indication transfer from group 3 to group I. Assume for examplethat relay 3F in group 3 is up and relay 2Min group 2 is up. This meansthat relay 2M must transfer to relay IM and relay 3F must transfer torelay 2F.

If relay 2X were permitted to release While relay IX is down, a circuitwould be completed through front contact 54 of relay 3F, back contact 53of relay 2X and back contact 61 of relay IX to relay IF, which wouldoperate relay IF when not desired. To prevent this false operation astick circuit for relay 2X is provided which extends from (-1-) frontcontact 50 of relay 2Y, back contact 49 of relay IX, front contact 3l)and Winding of relay 2X to This prevents the release of relay 2X duringthe transfer operations until relay IX is picked up to switch thecircuits from the IF and IM relays to the 2F and 2M relays. Similarstick circuits for relays 3X and 4X are provided by way of back contactsI8 and Il of relays 2X and 3X respectively.

A stick circuit including conductor I6 is provided for relay 3TP todelay the transfer operations when a pulse is coming over conductor 53or conductor 83. A pulse is sent over conductor 53 in response to thepicking up of relay IC and a pulse is sent over conductor 83 in responseto the picking up of relay `2TP (with relay NP down) as previouslydescribed. is applied 'to stick conductor 46 by way of back contact 29of relay 2C and front contact 28 of relay IC at-'the time an FA pulse isbeing sent and by way of front contact 25 of relay ZTP, back contact 26of relay AZR and back contact 2l of relay NP at the time an MA pulseisbeing sent. This sticks relayTP and delays the transfer operations abovedescribed, even though the track section with which relay BTP isassociated is cleared, until after the pulse has been passed to itsproper F or M relay and this relay picked up and stuck up. This stickcircuit for relay STP includes its own front contact 45.

Having thus shown and described a specific eml bodiment of the presentinvention and having speciiically pointed out how the system is proposedto be used, it is .desired to be understood that this should not beconstrued as a limitation of the scope of the invention, nor should itbe construed as illustrating the exact construction to be employed inpracticing the invention, but that the specific system illustrated hasbeen selected for the purpose of disclosing the principles and onemethod of practicing the invention and that various changes andadditions may be made to adapt the invention to particular problemsencountered in practice, all without departing from the spirit thereofexcept as limited by the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:-

l. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a station at the exit endof said stretchof track, a plurality of indicators at said station eachrepresenting a train of a particular class, a plurality of groups ofclass identifying relays each group including one relay for each class,means automatically controlled by the successive entrances of aplurality of trains of one class into said stretch of track forsuccessively operating the relays for one class of certain of saidgroups, means automatically and manually controlled uponthe successiveentrances ofanother plurality of trains of another class into saidstretch of "track for successively operating the relays for anotherclass of subsequent groups, whereby indications are registered on saidgroups of relays in'accordance with the class of successive trainsentering said stretch of track, means controlled only by therelays of arst group for selectively actuating said indicators in accordance withthe class of the rst train to enter said stretch of track, and means fortransferring the train indication from a second one of said groups tosaid first group.

2. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a station at the exit endof said stretch of track, a plurality of routes at said stationselectable by a track switch, a plurality of groupsof route identifyingclass relays, train controlled means for successively operating therelays of one class of certain groups to register the route of eachsuccessive train of a plurality of trains of one class entering saidstretch of track, conjoint train and manually controlled means forsuccessively operating the relays of another class of each of subsequentgroups to register the route of each successive train of a plurality oftrains of another classl entering said stretch of track, meanscontrolled only by the relays of the first of said groups forselectively actuating said track switch in accordance with the class ofthe first train to enter said stretch of track, and means responsive tosaid rst train leaving said stretch of track for transferring the trainindication from a second one of saidgroups to said rst group.

3. In combination, a track layout comprising a plurality of routes, afirst passenger station and a second passenger station along the track,two indicators at said second station each designating the approach of atrain and each identifying the approaching train in accordance with theroute it is to take, a first relay for controlling one of saidindicators, a second relay for controlling the other or said indicators,a track relay and a manually operableA device at said rst station, meanscontrolled by said track relay for operating said rst relay, and meanscontrolled by said device for operating said second relay.

4. In a switching system for railways, a track section comprisinga-inain track and a divergingY route connected to said main track by-atrack switch, a power operated switch machine for operating said trackswitch, a rst storing means automatically controlled by the successiveentrances of a plurality of trains into said main track for storing saidentrances, a second storing means manually controlled during thesuccessive entrance of a plurality of trains into said main track, andmeans including said lirst and said second storing means forsuccessively and distinctively operating said track switch in accordancewith the automatic and manual control of corresponding entrances intosaid main track.

5. A train describer system, comprising a plurality o indicators activeindicator displaying an indication identifying the class of anapproaching train, a plurality of indicator relays for each of saidindicators, means controlled by the actuation of a first relay of eachplurality for causing the associated indicator to display itsindication, means including track circuit controlled means for applyinga plurality of'iinpulses'to said indicator relays, means responsive tosaid impulses for actuating a plurality of said indicator relaysincluding one of said first relays whereby a plurality 'of indicationsare stored, means for cancelling a displayed indication, and means forautomatically transposing each stored indication to the next lower orderirudicatorA relay when said displayed indication is cancelled.

6. In combination, a stretch oi railway track divided into a pluralityof successive sections traversed by trains of different classes, aplurality of train class indicators, a separate track relay for each ofsome of said sections, a manually operable key for one of said sections,arst class circuitand a second class circuit corresponding to trains ofa first class `and a second class respectively, means for momentarilyenergizing said rst class circuit only when a first one of said trackrelays is activated and said key is actuated, means for momentarilyenergizing said second class circuit only when a second one of saidtrack relays is activated and ysaid key is not actuated, a plurality ofnrst class storage relays, a plurality of second class storage relays,means responsive to the momentary energization of said rst class circuitfor activating one of said first class storage relays, means responsiveto the momentary energization of said second class circuit foractivatingl one of said second class storage relays, and meanscontrolled by the activation of said first and said second class storagerelays for selectively actuating said train lclass indicators. i

7. In a signaling system; a rst and a second indicator eachv adaptedwhen operated to register a selected one .of a pluralityoi indicationsand to store such indication until released; manually operableelectro-responsive control means effective through a front contactthereof and only when there is no indication stored in said secondindicator for operating said indicator to store a selected indicationtherein; means rendered effective upon the operation of said secondindicator for rendering it non-responsive to said control meansf meanseffective if there is no indication stored in said rst indicator totransfer the stored indication of the second indicator thereto and tothen release said second indicator; means requiring saidelectroresponsive control means to be released for, through the mediumof a back contact thereof, rendering said second indicator againresponsive to the operation of said control means; and means forreleasing said rst indicator.

8. In combination with a railway track switch, a power switch machinefor operating the switch, a series of indicators each comprising relaymeans adapted to be energized in a particular arrangement for eachposition of the track switch, manually operable means for energizing inturn said indicators of the series to register controls for the trackswitch, transfer means associated with each,` indicator, except the lastof the series, and responsive to the release of such indicator toautomatically energize it in accordance with the condition ofenergization of the next succeeding indicator of the series and for thenreleasing such succeeding indicator, means for controlling the switchmachine in accordance with the condition of the first indicator of theseries; and means responsive to the movement of a train over the. switchfor releasing said first indicator.

9. In combination, a detector section of railway track including a trackswitch, a power switch machine for operating the switch, a series ofindicators each comprising relay means adapted to be energized in aparticular arrangement for each position of the track switch, manuallyoperable means for, energizing the indicators of the series in turn toregister controls for the track switch, transfer means associated witheach indicator except the last of the series, and responsive to therelease of such indicator to automatically energize it in accordancewith the condition of energization of the next succeeding indicator ofthe series and to then release such succeeding indicator, meansreleasing the rst indicator when the detector section is occupied, andmeans effective each time the detector section becomes vacated foroperating said switch machine in accordance with` the next controlregistered by said first indicator.

10. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a track circuit atone end of the stretch having a track relay, a track switch at the otherend of stretch, a route indicator adjacent the switch for indicating theroutes to be taken by trains which have passed over said track circuitand are approaching the switch, a manually controllable contact, a stickrelay, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay closed only if saidmanually controllable contact is closed and said track relay isdeenergized, means controlled by the stick relay When energized tomaintain it energized as long as the track relay remains deenergizedirrespective of further operation of said manually operable contact,means controlled by said stick relay when deenergized to prepare acircuit for controlling said route indicator, and means effective whensaid stick relay becomes energized to control said route indicator overthe circuit which was prepared when said stick relay was deenergized,whereby only temporarly manual actuation is necessary and whereby saidrouter` indicator can be controlled only once for each train passingover said track circuit.

1l. In a train describer and switch control system; the combination witha plurality of relay groupseach group, except the last, including anormally deenergized transfer relay and each group including a pluralityof normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by theircondition of energization manifesting the description of a traindestination; a contact on each transfer relay for each storage relay inits associated group, which contact when in its retracted condition isincluded in a pick-up circuit for a storage relay of that group and whenin its attracted condition is included in the pick-up circuit for acorresponding storage relay of the group next in the rear; a trackswitch associated with the first of said relay groups; a switch machinefor operating said track switch; circuits for controlling said switchmachine including contacts of the storage relaysof said first group; adetector track circuit including a track relay as'- sociated with saidtrack switch; cancelling means including said track relay for cancellingthe train description stored in said rst group upon occupancy of saidtrack circuit; and means including said track 'relay and the transferrelay of said first group for transferring the train description storedin a second group into said first group.

12. In a train describer and switch control system; the combination witha plurality of relay groups, each group, except the last. including anormal deenergized transfer relay and each group including a pluralityof normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by theircondition of energization manifesting the description of a traindestination; a contact on each transfer relay for each storage relay inits associated group, which contact when in its retracted condition isincluded in a pick-up circuit for a storage relay of that group and whenin its attracted condition is included in the pick-up circuit for acorresponding storage relay of the group next in the rear; a trackswitch associated with the first of said relay groups; a switch machinefor operating said track switch; circuits for controlling said switchmachine including contacts of the storage relays of said first group; adetector track circuit including a track relay associated with saidtrack switch; cancelling means including said track relay for cancellingthe train description stored in said first group upon occupancy of saidtrack circuit; and means including said track relay and the transferrelay of said first group for transferring the train description storedin a second group into said first group, said cancelling means' beingconstructed to prevent operation of said track switch while saiddetector track circuit is occupied.

13. In an automatic track switch control system; the combination with aplurality of relay groups, each group, except the last, including anormal deenergized transfer relay and each group including a pluralityof normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by theircondition of energization manifesting the description of a traindestination; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including inmultiple front contacts of its associated storage relays; a stickcircuit for each transfer relay except the first including a backcontact of the next transfer relay in advance; a contact on eachtransfer relay for each storage relay in its associated group, whichContact when in its retracted condition is ineluded in a pick-up circuitfor a storage relay of that group and when in its attracted condition isincluded in thepick-up circuit for a corresponding storage relay of thegroup next in the rear; a track switch associated With the first of saidrelay groups; a switch machine for operating said track switch; circuitsfor controlling said switch machine including contacts of the storagerelays of said rst group; a detector track circuit lincluding a trackrelay associated with said track switch; cancelling means including saidtrack relay for cancelling the train description stored in said firstgroup upon occupancy of saidtrack circuit; and means including saidtrack relay and the transfer relay of said first group for transferringthe train description stored in a second groupinto said firstgroup.

1li. In a, train describer system; 4t'ne combina-` tion with a pluralityof train describer units each unit including a transfer relay and aplurality of normally deenergized storage relays; aV pick-up circuit foreach storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit includinga normally closed contact controlled by its associated transfer relay,normally closed contacts controlled by the transfer relays of the unitsin the rear and valso including anormally opened contact controlled b-ythe transfer relay of the unit in'advance; a stick circuit for eachstorage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit including anormally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit nextin advance; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including inmultiple front contacts of the storage relays of its unit; a stickcircuit for each transfer relay except the transfer relay of the firstunit including a normally closed contact controlled by the transferrelay of the unit next in advance; and stick circuits for the storagerelays of the first unit including a normally closed track circuitcontrolled contact.

15. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftrain describer units each unit including a transfer relay and aplurality of normally deenergized storage relays; a pick--up circuit foreach storage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit including anormally closed contact controlled by its associated transfer relay,normally closed contacts controlled by the transfer relays of the unitsin the rear and also including a normally open contact controlled by thetransfer relay of the unit in advance; a stick circuit for each storagerelay except the storage relays of the first unit including a normallyopen contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next inadvance; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including in multiplefront contacts of the storage relays of its unit; a stick circuit foreach transfer relay except the transfer relay of the first unitincluding a normally closed contact controlled by the transfer relay ofthe unit next in advance; stick circuits for the storage relays of thefirst unit including a normally closed track circuit controlled contact;and a stick circuit for the transfer relay of the first unit including atrack circuit controlled contact.

16. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftrain describer units each unit including a transfer relay, a transferrepeater relay and a normally deenergized storage relay; a circuit foreach transfer repeater relay including a front contact of its associatedtransfer relay; a pick-up circuit for each storage relay except thestorage relay vof tne first unit including a normally closed contact ofits associated transfer relay anda normally open contact controlled bythe transfer relay of the unit in ad- Vance; a stick circuit for eachstorage relay except thev storage relays of the first unit including anormally open contact of `the repeater transfer relay of the unit nextinadvance; and an energizing circuit for each transfer relay includinga'front contact of its associated storage relay.

17. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftraindescriber` units each unit including a transfer relay, a transferrepeater relay and anormally deencrgized storage relay; a circuit foreach transfer repeater relay including a front Contact of its associatedtransferrelay; a pick-up circuit foreach storage relay excepttl'lestorage relay of the first unit including a normally closed contact ofits associated transfer' relay and a normally open contact controlled bythe'transfer relay of the unit in advance;'a stick circuit for eachstorage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit includinganormally open contact of the repeater transfer relay of the unit nextin advance; and a circuit for each transfer relay except the transferrelay ofthe first unit including a back contact of the transfer relay'ofthe unit next in advance and a front contact of its associated transferrepeater relay.

18. In a train describersystem; the combination with a plurality oftrain describer units each unit including a transfer relay, a transferrepeater relay and a normally deenergized storage relay; a circuit foreach transfer repeater relay including a front contact of its associatedtransfer relay; a pick-up circuit for each storage relay except tliestorage relay of the rst unit including a normally closed Contact of itsassociated transfer relay and anormally open contact controlled by thetransfer relay of the unit next in advance; a stick circuit for eachstorage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including anormally open contact of the repeater transfer relay of the unit next inadvance; a pickup circuit for each transfer relay including a frontcontact of its associated storage relay; and a stick circuit for eaclrtransfer relay except the transfer relayof the first unit including aback contact of the transfer relay of the unit next in advance and afront contact vof its associated transfer repeater relay.

19. In a train describer system; the combina-l pick-up circuit for eachstorage relay including in series a back contact of its associated`transfer relay and a front contact' of the corresponding storage relayof the unit next inthe rear; and al stick circuit for each storage relayexcept the storage relays of the first unit including a contact closedwhen the transfer relay of the unit in ad- Vance is energized; anenergizing circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple frontcontacts of the storage relays of the same unit;

sdf

whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to the rear ofa unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receive a traindescription through back contacts in series of transfer relays of theunits in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit is vacatedby having its storage relays deenergized the associated transfer relaywill assume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of saidsecond pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unithaving a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in therear of such particular unit.

20. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftrain describer units each including a plurality of normally deenergizedstorage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay, which storagerelays by their condition of energization define the class of aparticular train; a first pick-up circuit for each storage relay exceptthe storage relays of the first unit including a front contact of thetransfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of thetransfer relay of one or more units in the rear all included in series;a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series aback contact of its associated transfer relay a front contact of thetransfer relay of the unit next in advance and a front contact of thecorresponding-storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stickcircuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the iirstunit including a Contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit inadvance is energized; an energizing circuit for each transfer 1 relayincluding in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the sameunit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to therear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receivea train description through back contacts in series of transfer relaysof the units in the rear and whereby if a particular descrber unit isvacated by having its storage relay deenergized the associated transferrelay will assume a deenergized condition and will upon closure of thefront contact of the transfer relay of the unit next in advance allowclosure of said second pick-up circuit for that storage relay of theparticular unit having a corresponding storage relay energized in theunit next in the rear of such particular unit.

21. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftrain describer units each including a plurality of normally deenergizedstorage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay, which storagerelays by their condition of energization define the class of aparticular train; a rst pick-up circuit for each storage relay exceptthe storage relays of the. first unit including a front contact of thetransfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of thetransfer relay of one or more units in the rear all included in series;a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series aback contact of its associated transfer relay and a front contact of thecorresponding storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stickcircuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the firstunit including a contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit inadvance is energized; an energizing circuit for each transfer relayincluding in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the sameunit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to therear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receivea train description through back contacts in series of transfer 'relaysof the units in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit isvacated by having its storage relay deenergized the associated transferrelay will assume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of saidsecond pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unithaving a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in therear of such particular unit; and a stick circuit for the storage relaysof the first unit including a track circuit controlled contact.

22. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality oftrain d-escriber units each including a plurality of normallydeenergized storage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay,which storage relays by their condition of energization define the classof a particular train; a first pick-up circuit for each storage relayexcept the storage relays of the first unit including a front contact ofthe transfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of thetransfer relays of one or more units in the rear all included in series;a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series aback contact of its associated transfer relay and afront contact of thecorresponding storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stickcircuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the firstunit including a contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit inadvance isenergized; an energizing circuit for each transfer relayincluding in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the sameunit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to therear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receivea train description through back contacts in series of transfer relaysof the units in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit isvacated by having its storage relay de-energized the associated transferrelay will asume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of saidsecond pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unithaving a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in therear of such particular unit; and a track switch controlled by, and inaccordance with, the train description stored in the storage relays ofthe rst unit.

HERBERT D. BROOKS.

ALBERT A. ROBERTS.

